Blue tang scratching

[hairyashell]

I have this blue tang scratching against the pvc pipes and always swimming against the wavemaker current in QT being treated with copper with other fishes. Administering general cure (as I initially thought it might be flukes) simultaneously. I started noticing a purple patch on its belly and its breathing heavily as well. Although it's still eating and active. Any ideas?

 

[angelsandtangs]

The discoloration is kinda telling me possible fluke issue along with the rapid breathing

 

[Bepis]

Better quality pics would help with diagnosis

 

[jmichaelh7]

Make sure you have an air stone for the general cure

 

[SlugSnorter]

The discoloration is kinda telling me possible fluke issue along with the rapid breathing

do you think maybe velvet? kinda got that gold dusting but idk

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have this blue tang scratching against the pvc pipes and always swimming against the wavemaker current in QT being treated with copper with other fishes. Administering general cure (as I initially thought it might be flukes) simultaneously. I started noticing a purple patch on its belly and its breathing heavily as well. Although it's still eating and active. Any ideas?

I normally avoid treating copper and general cure at the same time. In fact, general cure overall is more stressful than treating with Prazipro or pure praziquantel. Just make sure you aerate the tank well, and change a third of the water 48 hours after the general cure treatment/

Jay Hemdal

 

[hairyashell]

I normally avoid treating copper and general cure at the same time. In fact, general cure overall is more stressful than treating with Prazipro or pure praziquantel. Just make sure you aerate the tank well, and change a third of the water 48 hours after the general cure treatment/

Jay Hemdal

I think there is enough aeration as I have a sump below where the water is dropped into and pumped up.

I'm already on the 2nd dose of general cure (dosed after 7 days from the 1st dose). Is the 2nd dose supposed to be shorter? I assumed I would have to wait a week after 2nd dose before doing water change

 

[angelsandtangs]

do you think maybe velvet? kinda got that gold dusting but idk

I would lean that way to be honest since you can see it better than I can

 

[hairyashell]

I think there is enough aeration as I have a sump below where the water is dropped into and pumped up.

I'm already on the 2nd dose of general cure (dosed after 7 days from the 1st dose). Is the 2nd dose supposed to be shorter? I assumed I would have to wait a week after 2nd dose before doing water change

@Jay Hemdal would appreciate if you could kindly elaborate on this

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think there is enough aeration as I have a sump below where the water is dropped into and pumped up.

I'm already on the 2nd dose of general cure (dosed after 7 days from the 1st dose). Is the 2nd dose supposed to be shorter? I assumed I would have to wait a week after 2nd dose before doing water change

The praziquantel in the GC degrades in less than 48 hours. Doing the water change after that point does not reduce the effectiveness of the treatment (metronidazole isn’t a super effective component of the treatment anyway).
Jay

 

[hairyashell]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The tang is doing better now it seems. Less heavy breathing, not scratching anymore and swimming around the tank instead of against the wavemaker. I suspect it was flukes which GC seems to have taken care of